New coral species found on the Great Barrier Reef

More than 400 species of coral call the Great Barrier Reef home and now, after one extraordinary expedition, there's 401. 

The new species was discovered by Dr Charlie Vernon during the annual Citizens Science of the Great Barrier Reef voyage. Departing from Cairns, the expedition aims to monitor the biodiversity of the reef in order to inform conservation efforts. Dr Vernon has uncovered 20% of the coral species on the Great Barrier Reef. 

"When Dr Vernon comes across something he doesn't know, he can pretty confidently say that it's a new species," says GBR Legacy Managing Director Dr Dean Miller.

"You don't find a new species of anything very often, especially corals."

The new species is now in a biobank of 85 corals that have been collected over the past month on the expedition. The plan is to capture all 401 species that can be found on the Great Barrier Reef in the next three years for future scientific research.

Want to experience the Great Barrier Reef yourself? Read our first-timers guide or discover these unmissable ways to see the reef.

Hero image supplied by Woody & Harriet Spark @grumpyturtle